> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ralston-crawford · updated 2026-11-02

# Ralston Crawford (1906–1978)

## What is Ralston Crawford’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 106 auction results for Ralston Crawford at 19 houses since 1990. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,040 including buyer’s premium (middle half $868–$6,001, n=6). The auction record is $399,000 for Roof, 31 West 11th Street (2019, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

**Top auction records: paintings, drawings & sculpture**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roof, 31 West 11th Street, 1934 | Oil paint | $399,000 | Christie's | May 2019 |
| 2 | Boat and Grain Elevator, 1942 | Oil paint | $130,000 | Christie's | Apr 2024 |
| 3 | Untitled (oil on canvas), 1976 | Painting | $68,750 | Rago Arts | May 2021 |
| 4 | Net, 1906 | Oil paint | $43,750 | Christie's | Dec 2009 |
| 5 | Interior: Table and Shadow, 1935 | Oil paint | $35,000 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 6 | Elevated with Lahaina Color, 1906 | Oil paint | $28,200 | Christie's | May 2000 |
| 7 | Study for 'Maitland Bridge', 1939 | Ink | $18,720 | Wright | Jun 2003 |
| 8 | Andalucia to Yorkshire, 1906 | Oil on canvas | $15,000 | Bonhams | Nov 2017 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Overseas Highway, 1940 | Lithograph in colors, on wove paper, with full margins | $19,350 | Phillips | Apr 2026 |
| 2 | Overseas Highway sketch, 1939 | Signé et daté en bas au centre "Ralston Crawford / | $13,326 | Artcurial | Mar 2020 |

**Median price by medium (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 7 | $43,750 |
| Works on paper | 15 | $4,000 |
| Photographs | 7 | $2,250 |
| Other | 6 | $1,916 |
| Prints | 61 | $1,250 |

**Median price by size (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 60 | $2,188 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 30 | $992 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 106 results from 19 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Ralston Crawford is an American artist with 128 auction lots recorded since 1990, median price $1,738. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Ralston Crawford sold in 2026 for $19,350, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 Ralston Crawford work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Ralston Crawford on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ralston-crawford?ref=kg:ralston-crawford) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Ralston Crawford work worth?

Across 106 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ralston Crawford work is $1,738.

The median Ralston Crawford print sells for $1,125 across 68 lots.

The median Ralston Crawford photograph sells for $3,450 across 15 lots.

The median Ralston Crawford painting sells for $39,375 across 10 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Ralston Crawford prints typically sell for $821–$2,898 (the middle half of 36 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Ralston Crawford prints typically sell for $604–$1,265 (the middle half of 27 sold lots).

Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 73 | $1,125†‡ | $19,350 | 93.2% | 2026-04-22 |
| Paintings | 16 | $39,375‡ | $399,000 | 62.5% | 2024-06-11 |
| Works on Paper | 10 | $4,625‡ | $18,720 | — | 2025-11-20 |
| Photography | 19 | $3,450 | $5,250 | 78.9% | 2026-10-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 6 | $68,625 | $399,000 | — | 2024-04-18 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

Ralston Crawford's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (73 lots) median $1,125 with 93.2% sell-through. Paintings (16 lots) median $39,375, record $399,000. A typical Ralston Crawford painting sells for around 35× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 6 lots) the median is $68,625.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 36 | $821–$2,898†‡ | $1,744†‡ | $19,350 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 27 | $604–$1,265†‡ | $937†‡ | $3,250 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $18,300–$114,625 | $48,350 | $399,000 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $2,422–$7,999‡ | $4,625‡ | $18,720 |

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 14 | $1,748–$3,938 | $3,250 | $5,250 |

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2019 | $399,000 |
| Paintings | 2024 | $130,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $19,350 |
| Works on Paper | 2003 | $18,720 |
| Works on Paper | 2009 | $10,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $9,375 |
| Photography | 2016 | $5,250 |
| Photography | 2005 | $4,200 |

The highest recorded result in each medium. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Ralston Crawford worth?

Across 106 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ralston Crawford work is $1,738. The median Ralston Crawford print sells for $1,125 across 68 lots. The median Ralston Crawford photograph sells for $3,450 across 15 lots. The median Ralston Crawford painting sells for $39,375 across 10 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Ralston Crawford prints typically sell for $821–$2,898 (the middle half of 36 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Ralston Crawford prints typically sell for $604–$1,265 (the middle half of 27 sold lots). Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is the average price of a Ralston Crawford print?

Based on 68 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ralston Crawford print is $1,125. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is Ralston Crawford's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ralston Crawford print is $19,350.

### What is the average price of a Ralston Crawford photograph?

Based on 15 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ralston Crawford photograph is $3,450.

### What is Ralston Crawford's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ralston Crawford photograph is $5,250.

### What is the average price of a Ralston Crawford painting?

Based on 10 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ralston Crawford painting is $39,375. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Ralston Crawford's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ralston Crawford painting is $399,000.

### What is the average price of a small Ralston Crawford print?

Based on 36 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ralston Crawford print (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,744, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is the average price of a medium Ralston Crawford print?

Based on 27 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ralston Crawford print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $937, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is Ralston Crawford's auction record?

Ralston Crawford's auction record is $399,000, set in 2019.

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Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Ralston Crawford auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ralston-crawford (updated 2026-11-02).

Historical auction data, not investment advice. Prices are premium-inclusive USD where the buyer's premium is recorded. Figures marked † are hammer prices (buyer's premium not included); ‡ marks a price whose basis is not yet verified. Non-USD results are converted at the sale month's rate.